No fewer than 10,000 Niger Delta Youths will receive a monthly stipends of N50,000 from the federal government, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said.
Akpabio made the revelation on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers state during a stakeholder event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
He said the approval was made by President Tinubu as part of his efforts to stop Niger Deltans from participating in the planned protest slated for August 1-10 by pro-democracy groups and other Nigerians.
The protest, according to the organiser, is necessary to press home their demand on the government to address the current economic hardship in the country, which they blamed on some unfriendly policies introduced by the Tinubu administration.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting yesterday, Akpabio stated that the NDDC Youth Intensive Scheme would last for an initial 12 months with the possibility of extension.
According to him, the scheme is the government’s response to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the region, saying “the economic challenges in our nation are known by President Tinubu” who is trying to address them.
He urged the people of the region to shun the protest which he claimed is being organised by “copycats’ who wants to replicate the Kenya episode in the country, saying the president is addressing the infrastructural problems in the region.
The magazine reported that Kenya has been shut down for weeks by angry youths protesting against the administration of President William Ruto.
Akpabio said, “The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will implement this scheme immediately to support 10,000 youths with N50,000 monthly to cushion the current hardship.
“We acknowledge the severe impact caused by oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta and are taking prompt action to address these issues.
“The economic challenges in our nation are known by President Tinubu and are already receiving required attention to address them.
“The organisers are merely copycats imitating the situation in Kenya, not minding the potential anarchy their protest will bring upon this country.
“The issues facing the country are currently being addressed, and so, there is absolutely no need to protest,” he said.
Recall that Asari Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force had on Monday said the region will not take part in the protest because President Tinubu has done well for the Niger Delta.
‘Don’t bring your hunger protest” to the Niger Delta, the repentant militant warned.
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